Mendel Cotlar, a young but clearly intelligent, young man had one thing to say at his Bar Mitzvah in Houston, TX. “Gratitude makes you happy.” Developing an attitude of gratitude is crucial to remaining happy in our fast paced lives filled with crises and meetings. It is important to pause and appreciate how much we have to be thankful for, even when things seem to be going wrong.
These ideas are the foundation of a groundbreaking new seminar from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, entitled Waking Up to Life. As its title implies, the 90 minute workshop is designed to change the way we appreciate our lives by focusing on what we have for some time each morning. The ancient Jewish practice of reciting the Modeh Ani is a great way to count our blessings every day when we wake up.
The Waking Up to Life seminar will be taught in Winnipeg on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 10:00 am over Zoom, led by Mrs. Adina Altein of the Jewish Learning Centre. “Gratitude is so important to leading a happy and fulfilled life”, said Mrs. Adina Altein. “This enlightening seminar is sure to change the way we look at waking up in the morning. I look forward to a great turnout and some fascinating discussion.”
The seminar, different from a standard lesson, is made for audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and expresses a very positive feeling with its colorful workbook and multimedia. Students are encouraged to take the lesson home with them and continue their learning with a post-lesson site and additional lessons. Many of the seminar’s alumni have taken to social media expressing their gratitude online using the hashtags #ModehAni and #ThankfulDaily.
Please contact Chabad at 204.339.8737 for more information or sign up on JLI’s new mobile app at JLI.ChabadWinnipeg.org. Registration for the seminar costs $18 and includes a beautiful student take away packet that can be picked up from the Jewish Learning Centre.